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Kidney Failure
Summary
Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don’t work properly. Harmful wastes can build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. This is called kidney failure.
If your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work they normally do. The treatment options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Each treatment has benefits and drawbacks. No matter which treatment you choose, you’ll need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. But with the help of health care providers, family, and friends, most people with kidney failure can lead full and active lives.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Patient Handouts
- Acute kidney failure Medical Encyclopedia
- Acute tubular necrosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Dialysis – peritoneal Medical Encyclopedia
- End-stage kidney disease Medical Encyclopedia
- Glomerular filtration rate Medical Encyclopedia
Specifics
- Acute Kidney Failure Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Genetics
- Alport syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Fibronectin glomerulopathy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Nephronophthisis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Uromodulin-associated kidney disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Related Issues
- Amyloidosis and Kidney Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Keeping Kidneys Safe: Smart Choices about Medicines National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Mineral and Bone Disorder in Chronic Kidney Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- MRI: Is Gadolinium Safe for People with Kidney Problems? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Vaccinations Do You Need? National Kidney Foundation
Encyclopedia
- Calcium – urine Medical Encyclopedia
- Hepatorenal syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Lactic acidosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Peritonitis – secondary Medical Encyclopedia
- Peritonitis – spontaneous bacterial Medical Encyclopedia
- Potter syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Prerenal azotemia Medical Encyclopedia
- Renal arteriography Medical Encyclopedia
- Renal scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Urine 24-hour volume Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure National Kidney Foundation
- Dialysis: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Kidney Transplantation: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Kidney Failure National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Kidney Failure, Chronic National Institutes of Health
Living With
- Coping: Managing Your Kidney Disease National Kidney Foundation
- Creatinine Test National Library of Medicine
- Renal Diet for Vegetarians: What about Protein? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Is Kidney Failure? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Children
- How Do Health Care Professionals Treat Kidney Failure in Children? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Statistics and Research
- Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Diagnosis and Tests
- Kidney Failure Radiological Society of North America
- Kidney Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Start Here
- Kidney Failure, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) American Kidney Fund
Reference Desk
- Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Your Kidneys and How They Work National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Find an Expert
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- National Kidney Foundation National Kidney Foundation